Tampon machine and method for making tampons



Feb. 22, i949. H. GANZ TAMPON MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING TAMPONS 14 SheecS--Shee'l 1 Filed Jan. 13, 1944 lNvEN-roR #EA/zy @nA/z.

if. Zwak., ATTORNEY Feb. 22, E949. H. GANZ 2,462,178

TAMPON MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING TAMPONS Filed Jan. 13,' i944 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 15, 1944 714 a. f ATTORNEY H. GANZ TAMPON MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING TAMPONs Feb. 2z, w49.V

Filed Jan. 13, 1944 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 2 n 1W am zi M@ Feb. 2z, 1949. H. GANZ 2,462,178

TAMPON MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING TAMPONS Feb. 22, 1949. H. GANZ TAMPON MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING TAMPONS 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 13, 1944 l 71's WWTF/WN@ mw MW ma mw H M/ f W y .a w Z L fa.

Feb.v 22, 1949, H. GANZ TAMPON MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING TAMPONS h 14 sheexssheet 7 Filed Jan. 13, 1944 www IN V EN TOR.

Feb. I22, 1949. H. GANZ TAMPON MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING TAMPONS Filed Jan. 15, 1944 d 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 Feb. 22, E949. H. GANZ y2,462,178

TAMPON MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING TAMPONS Filed Jan. 13, 1944 14 sheets-sheet 9 H. GANZ TAMPON MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING TAMPONS Feb. 2z, w49.

14 SheeS-Sheeil lO Filed Jan. 13, 1944 INVENTOR.

H5N1? Y @2/V2 Feb, 22, 1949.- H. GANZ TAMPON MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING TAMPONS Filed Jan. 15 1944 'hmlllli L l@ f f ATTORNEY Fe.422, 1949. H. GANZ 2,462,378

TAMPON MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING TAMPONS l Filed Jan. 13, 1944 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 Feb. E949. H GANZ TAMPON MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAKING TMPONS Filed Jan'. 15, 1944 14 sheets-sheet 13 /A/FEXE INVENTOR i/wwf awr/v2.

Jim/5 CLOSE ATTORNEY Feb. 22, H. GANZ 4 TAMPON -MACHINE A ND METHOD FOR MAKING TAMPONS Filed Jan.' 13, 1944 14 'sheets-sheet 14 INVENTOR 4 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 22, 1949 2,462,178

TAMPON MACHINE AND METHOD FOR Y MAKING TAMPONS v Henry Ganz, West Englewood, N. J., assgnor to i j The Personal Products Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application January 13, 1944, Serial No. 518,160 l 26 Claims. (Cl. 18-5) This invention relates to machines for forming fibrous material into compact masses of predetermined size and contour and to methods for making the same. In its more specific aspect, the invention is directed to novel apparatus for making tampons and to methods for making the same.

In certain of its broad aspects the invention briefly embodies a novel automatic machine for making tampons rapidly, at a low cost and with a minimum of manual labor. In its entirety the novel apparatus embodying the invention compri-ses a novel mechanism for feeding, a web of Figure 2 is a rear view of the machine shown in Figure '1. f v

Figure 3 is a sectional view vtaken on f lines 3-3 of AFigure 1 in the direction of the arrows, and has'a part of the turret table broken away to show the threading mechanism. f f Figure 4 is a sectional viewV taken on line 4-7-4 of Figure 3 in the direction ofA the arrows.

Figure 4a is a fragmentary view showing a portion of Figure 4 and illustrating the manner of separating a portion of the folded cotton web from the remainder.- l

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken 'on line 5--5 absorbent brous material, such as a carded cot- 0f Figure 4- ton web, in a predetermined path and while in Flgure 6 is a Sectional View taken on Ime 6 5 said path and if desired, folding said web and of Elgure 4j K thereafter separating a predetermined length of Figure 7 1S a Sectlonal VleW taken on Ime 1 1 said folded web from the remainder of the web. ,of Elgure, 4;

This predetermined length of folded web is then .Flfrure 8 1S a Sectional View taken. on Ime 8 8 moved by a novel positioning mechanism operof Elgure 4',

ating in timed relationship with the feeding and o fleg 41S a' Sectlonal View taken on lme- 9-9 'separating mechanism to position the length of folded web over a novel die carried on a novel turret which may be indexed from position to position by a novel drive mechanism. Novel mechanism is coupled with the die carrying turret to couple a draw cord with the individual folded web length after insertion into the die. Also cooperating with the die carrying turret is a novel mechanism for inserting the individual folded web into the die and for compressing the same into a tampon of predetermined size and contour.

An object of this invention is to provide apparatus for continuously making tampons at a high rate of speed, at low cost and with a minimum of manual labor, if any.

Another object of this invention iis to provide a. novel apparatus for compressing fibrous material into compressed wads at a high rate of speed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus for coupling a draw cord with a tampon.

Figure 10 isa sectional view taken on line lli-Ill of FigureV 4, but shows only the individual folded web length and the supporting table therefor.

Figure 11 is a sectionalview taken, on line II-ll of Figure 3. A

Figures 12, 13 and 14 arefragmentary views showing the relationship of the actuating parts with respect to each other in the different steps of moving the individual folded web into position,

for insertion.

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view of the die carrying turret table showing the diierentindex positions. Y j

Figure 16 is a cross sectional viewtaken on line iti-I6 of Figure 3. j

Figure 17 is a top view `of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is an enlarged sectional view showing the position of the pin with respect to the cotton and dye.

Figure 19 is a View taken on line 1'9-19 of Figure 18.

Another object of this invention is to provide Figure 21V is a sectional view taken online a novel method for making tampons. Zl-ZI of Figure 3. f

Another object of this invention is to provide Figure 22 is a 'sectional View taken on line a novel method for coupling a draw cord with 22-22 of Figure 21. a tampon. A Figure 23 is asectional View taken on line Other objects will in part be obvious and will 23-23 of Figure 22. in part appear hereinafter. Figure 24 is a sectional view taken on line An embodiment of an apparatus embodying the invention i-s shown in the drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a. front view of a machine embodying ythe invention. Y

2li-Z4 of Figure 3.

Figure 25 is a perspective view of a predetermined length of a carded cotton web after folding and severing and just before pushing.

Figure 26 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the folded cotton after it has been pushed to position at the entrance of a die.

Figur-e 27 is a cross sectional view of the relative position of the die and plunger and tampon material after insertion of said material shown in Figures and 26 into the die.

Figure 28 is a perspective view of the cotton or tampon material after insertion and withdrawal of the inserter from its position shown in Figure 27.

Figure 29 shows the relative position of the cylindrical formation of tampon material, die and piercing or separating pin after insertion of the pin at the piercing station. l

Figure 30 is a perspective view of the preformed loosely compacted cylindrical formation of tampon material after piercing to provide an eye for draw string or cord threading therethrough.

Figure 31 shows the placing of one end of the string between a pair of jaws in the course of placing the string in predetermined position for threading it through the eye.

Figure 32 shows the relative position of the string placer and the jaws after the string has been drawn taut and shows the relative position of the looper before retraction.

Figure 33 is a sectional view taken on line 33-33 of Figure 32.

Figure 34 shows the position of the string looping device in its retracted position and holding the string and the position of the string loops with respect to a string leg guide.

Figure 35 is a view taken on line 35-35 of Figure 34 looking in they direction of the arrows.

Figure 36 is a view similar to Figure 35 with the legs of the string being partially drawn together by the V-shaped slotted elements.

Figure 37 is a sectional view showing the legs of the string after they have been brought close to each other at the V-shaped slotted elements.

Figure 38 is a View similar to Figure 37 and shows the die coming to the threading station.

Figure 38a is a cross sectional View taken on line 38a--38a of Figure 38.

Figure 39 is a cross sectional view taken on line 39--39 of Figure 38.

Figure 40 is a sectional View similar to Figure 39 and shows the string pushing needle 9 about to engage the free ends of the string.

Figure 41 is a view similar to Figure 40 and shows the pushing needle in its maximum inserted position with the fr ee ends of the string having passed through the looped end thereof and being located between a pair of jaws.

Figure 42 is a view showing the free ends of the string clamped by the jaws after the string pushing needle has been completely retracted.

Figure 43 is a view similar to Figure 42 and shows the position of the loop former after disengaging the string.

Figure 44 is a View similar to Figure 43 and shows the manner of drawing towards each other the legs of the string by movement of the threaded tampon material carrying die which -is traveling to the next position.

Figure 45 is a side view showing the relative position of the die, looped string and a suction guide for the free ends of the string in the course of travel of the die from threading to tying position.

Figure 46 is a view similar to Figure 45 and shows the position of the wiper brush and string holding jaws just before engagement of the string thereby.

Figure 47 is a view taken on line 41-41 of Figure 46.

Figure 48 is a view similar to Figure 46 and shows the position of the string after being wiped down by the wiper brush.

Figure 49 is a View similar to Figure 48 and shows the string engaging jaws moving downwardly to pull the free ends of the string and bring the slip loop in the position shown in Figure 50.

Figures 50 and 51 are views showing the next consecutive steps of centering and tightening the string on the tampon material.

Figure 52 is a sectional view taken on line 52-52 of Figure 51.

Figure 53 is a view similar to Figure 52 and shows the next step of releasing the free ends of the string after tightening.

Figure 54 is a view showing the die at the initial compressing position.

Figure 55 is a view showing thestep of initial compression.

Figure 56 isa View similar to Figure 55 and shows the step of iinal compression.

Figure 57 is a view similar to Figure 56 and shows the ejection step of the finished tampon.

One of the embodiments of the invention as shown in the drawings comprises a supporting frame I0 having a base II to which are rigidly secured a plurality of corner uprights I2. A top support |3 is rigidly secured to the uprights |2. Located below said top I3 and mounted on said base I I is a driving mechanism which may be an electric motor |4 having a drive shaft I5 to which is keyed a drive wheel II.y Secured to the top I 3 and depending from the under face thereof are a pair of journal supporting brackets I1. A pair of horizontally disposed spaced parallel shafts I8 and I9 are mounted in journals (not shown) in said brackets I1 for rotation therein. Keyed to the lower shaft I8 and spaced from each other are a pair of pulley wheels 20 and 2| and a sprocket Wheel 22. Keyed to the upper shaft I9 and spaced from each other are sprocket wheels 23, 24 and 24a. Journal supporting brackets 25 are located below the top |3, are secured to one of the uprights I2 and extends inwardly therefrom. A shaft 26 is carried by the journals (not shown) in brackets 25 for rotation therein and has a pulley wheel 21 keyed thereto. A continuous belt 28 extends around the pulley wheels I6 and 20 for driving shaft I8 by motor drive |4 and a continuous belt 29 extends around pulley wheels 2 I and 21 to drive the shaft 26. A continuous chain 30 extends around the sprockets 22 and 23 to drive the shaft I9.

Secured to the top I3 and depending downwardly therefrom is a Geneva mechanism located in housing 3| and having an input shaft 32 and an output shaft 33. Keyed to said input shaft 32 are sprocket wheels 34, 35 and 36 and a -bevel gear 31. The input shaft 32 is driven by a chain 32a extending around the sprocket wheel 24a and sprocket wheel 34. Mounted on a journal in one of said uprights I2 and a journal on said housing 3| is a shaftv 38 having a bevel gear 39 keyed thereto and meshing with the bevel gear 31 which drives the shaft 38 through gear 39. Also mounted in a journal on an upright I2 is a main cam shaft 40. Sprocket wheels 4| and 42 are respectively keyed to shafts 38 and 40 and have a. continuous chain therearound for driving shaft 40 through shaft 38.

Mounted onsaid frame `|Il and extending upwardly from its topy I3 isa plunger head guiding frame having sides 43 and top 44. Also mounted on said top I3 and within the limits ofthe sides 42 is a rotatable disc turret top or table 45 having a central bearing 46 (Figure 24) integral therewith. Extending through the bearing 46 and secured to the turret table 45 is a hollow shaft 41 having a beveled gear 48 secured thereto at its lower end. Meshing with the bevel gear 48 is a bevel gear 49 connected to the output or intermittent drive shaft 33 of the Geneva mechanism, which drives and indexes the vtable 45 from station to station to intermittently move each die carried thereby in a recurring series of different positions shown in Figure 15. Circumferentially spaced on the outer marginal periphery of turret top '44 are a plurality of equally spaced openings and as shown, eight openings through which extend dies 50, 5|, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and 51, all of which are exactly alike.

As shown in Figures 26, 2'1, 29 and 45, each of said dies may consist of a cylinder A having a bore B whose diameter is that of the iinished tampon to be manufactured. The upper end of said cylinder A has a supporting head C with a supporting shoulder D. The outside portion of the cylinder A is threaded below the shoulder D at E. The head C at the upper end of cylinder A has an upwardly outwardly tapered opening F communicating with said bore and acts to facilitate the entry of material for the tampon formation. The lower end of the cylinder A has a central vertical slot G therein. The outer surface of the lower part of said cylinder A on one side of said slot G is tapered inwardly downwardly at H. Each of said dies is mounted on the turret 45, with the cylinder A thereof located below the lower face of turret 45 and with the shoulder D resting on the upper face of turret 45. All of said dies are disposed vertically and are so positioned that the slots G are on the radii of the turret 45 and the tapered portions H are Aall leading faces. A collar 58 makes a threaded connection with the threaded portion E of each die and cooperates with the shoulder D to demountably' secure the dies to the turret 45 and maintain them in iix-ed position.

Supported'in bearings 60, 6| .and 62 above the supporting top |3 is a main cam shaft 63 having a sprocket wheel 64 secured thereto near one end thereof and driven by a chain 65 extending therearound and around the sprocket 24 on shaft I9. Extending through the head 44 and through the turret top 45 and also through the bearing 46 and a lower bearing 66 on base I2 is a vertically reciprocating shaft 61 having keyed thereto a plunger carrying head 68. A guide 69 having a vertical guideway is secured to one side of frame I0. Said guide 69 has a pair o f spaced bearings 1| secured thereto and accommodating a vertically reciprocating shaft 12 whose upper end is secured to the head 68. Mounted in the guideway 10 and secured to shaft 12 is a slide block 13. Shafts 61 and 12 are connected together at their upper ends through a bracket element 13. Both shafts 61 and 12 are connected to the upper ends of a pair of pivoted links 14 whose lower ends are pivotally connected to one end of a centrally pivoted counterweight actuator 15. The other end of actuator 15 is pivotally connected to one end of a connecting link 16 whose other end is pivotally connected to a crank lever 11 secured or keyedto shaft 26 for imparting vertically reciprocating movement to the plunger carrying head 68.

Mounted on the top I3 as shown in Figures v16 to 18 is a supporting table 80 having a longitudinal guide sloty8| therein. The forward end of cured thereto is a connecting pin 86 pivotally con-- nected to one end of a link 81 whose other end is pivotally connected to one end of a crank lever 68. The other end of the crank lever 88 is keyed to a shaft 89 having a bevel gear 90 keyed thereto. n

The main drive shaft 63 has keyed thereto a bevel gear 9| which meshes with the bevel gear 90 to drive the shaft 89 which in turn actuates the crank lever and continuously reciprocates the head and pin 84 as shown.

Pivotally mounted on bracket 6| is a string placer lever ||5 having a friction clamp I|6 at the free endV thereof. Intermediate its ends and pivoted to lever ||5 is a cam follower ||1 actuated by a cam I I8 keyed to the continuously driven cam shaft 53. A spring ||9 has one end thereof secured to the lever |'|5 and its other end secured'to the bracket 6I in order to maintain the cam follower ||1 in contact with the cam ||8 throughout rotation of the cam ||1. Also carried by the continuously driven shaft 53 and driven thereby is a sprocket wheel ||9 which drives a shaft |20 through sprocket wheel |2| having a chain |22 therearound and around sprockets ||9. Keyed to the shaft |20 is a crank mechanism |23 having one end secured to the shaft |20 and its other end secured to horizontally reciprocating head |24 carrying a string inserting needle |25. By this construction the shaft 63 simultaneously moves the needle |25 to and fro and swings the free end of lever ||5 up and down. r

Secured tothe table top I3 and extending upwardly therefrom is a supporting bracket |26 having'the stationary jaw |21 of a clamp secured thereto. Hinged at |28 to the lower end of the jaw |21 is a pivoted jaw |29 connected to link |30 which in turn is connected to link |3| pivoted to the bracket 6 .f 'Y Intermediate the ends of the link |3| is a cam follower |32 maintained against a cam |33 keyed to continuously driven shaft 63 by a tension spring |34 connected to the link |3I and to the bracket 6| so that the movable jaw |29 is actuated in response to the movement of the link |3| as it is moved by the cam |33. Also hinged to the bracket |26 at |35 is an arm |31 carrying a loop former |33 which essentially consists of a relatively thin plate whose outer end is in the form of a hook |39. The loop formerA |38 is actuated by a pivoted element |40 actuated by a cam |4| keyed to drive shaft 63. Also driven by the shaft 53 is a cam |42 for driving a pivoted lever |43 pivoted on bearing |44 and-having integral therewith and extending therefrom a short larm |45 terminating in a jaw |46. Fixedly mounted on the lever |44 and extending upwardly therefrom is an arm |41 having a tension |49 connected thereto and to an anchor rod |49 with the spring |48 tending to move the arm v|41 and the lever |44 in a counterclockwise direction.

Pivoted to the end of the lever |44 at 'pivot |58'is alever |5|. The lever |5| is keyed to the pivot shaft |50 which also has keyed thereto a movable yjaw |52adapted to cooperate with the jaw |46. The lever |5| is actuated by a cam yof the elementslo and |13.

7 follower l|53 whichinturn is actuated byga cam |64 driven by the continuously vrota'tir'ig `shaft 63. A tension spring '|55 has one end connected Sto the free end of .the lever 'and its -other Aend connected to thearm |41 and by tending lto swing the lever |51 in .a counterclockwise direc tion maintains-the cam follower |53 continuously -against the cam |54. Attached "to the lever |5| near the en'd thereof is a wiperorbrush =|56.

Also mounted lon bracket `|26 and 1above the jaws |21 and |29 4is 'a platen |60. Also mounted on bracket |26 and pivoted thereto is a lever `|6| carrying a String cutter or knife |62 also Al0- ca'ted above the J'aws 2.1 and |29. A pivoted-lever |63 `having `a cam follower |64 at one -end is supported by the top |3 and is actuated `bv a cam |65 driven by continuously driven shaft 40. The other end ofLlever |63 is ,pivotally connected to the lower end of lever |6| through an adjustable link |66 sothat the cutter =|62 may be swung towards and away from platen |60 in response to rotation of cam I 65.

Located between 'the level of the cutter and platen |62 and 1|-60 respectively and the jaws |21 and |29 is a stationary plate |68 having a slot therein which is of V-.shape at |69 and terminating in parallel sides |10. The lplate |68 has :an elongated narrow oblong opening |1| therethrough Just behind the apex of the V slot |69. Also pivoted to the bracket |26 is a lever |12 having its free end in the form of a plate 13 having a V-shaped cutout or slot |14 therein. `A link |15 connects the lever |12 to the lever |6| so .that 'the plate |13 and the knife 4|62 move in unison.

These plates are so arranged opposite and close .to `each other so that the larger ends ,of the slots |169 and |14 face each other. Alongside the ,bracket y|26 and secured to the tabletop |13 .is a bracket |16 having integral therewith at its upper end a stationary jaw |11located to one Vside A movable jaw |18 is pivoted at |19 (to the bracket |26and is normally actuated by'a tenjaws |11 and |18 in closed position. The movable jaw |18 has a pin |82 depending therefrom andadapted to be actuated by a striking element A|83 secured to the lever |12 and adapted uponpin |90 is normally maintained in the inoperative position shown in Figure 22 byaztension sion :spring |8| Aconnected thereto and to thej4 5 4stationary jaw V|11 and tends to'maintain these spring |9| secured thereto and to the lever |85.

The lever |85 is actuated by a cam follower lecam shaft'49 and through a connecting link |94.

Between the threading and tying station rIII and the tie tightening station IV is located `a suction trough |95 for retaining thefree `ends of the draw string in the course of travel and tie tightening. Secured to the bearing |16.and extending to one side'of jaws |11 and |18 and then arcuately in front of said jaws and tothe rear of suction .trough |95 is aretaining guide |96 for maintaining in positooon the die-the 'ver |92 actuated by a cam |93 driven by the 65 :partially tightened :slip .knot in the course of movement fromstationfIII to N. e

:Supported on the table I3 are three bearings for supporting three shafts 1|, .2 and 3,.each hav- :ing rkeyed thereto sprocket wheels. An endless belt 4 is mounted on the top I3 and has one end thereof located `below the turret table 45. This belt is rdriven by the drive shaft which in turn is drivenby sprocket 35 through chain 5. Shaft 2 is driven. also Aby drive sprocket 36 through Ychain-6 andshaft 3 is driven by shaft 2 'through chain f1. As the shaft I .is driven, the upper reach .of the endless belt 4 has deposited thereon completed tampons and this reachtravels away from the turret table 45 tomove the tampons to thepackingstation.

A bracket l92 is secured to one of the uprights I2 and extends outwardly therefrom. Bracket 92 `'has a vjournal in which is mounted the continuously driven cam shaft 40. 'Keyed to'said main shaft 40 at a position adjacent saidbracket ,are cams 93 and 94. A standard 96 rests on the top |3 and -is secured thereto near bracket 92. Supported on standard 96 is a guide table 91 having a-horizontal smooth slide 90and athrust element'96.

`Pivoted at one end of the guide table 91 is one end vof an inverted shallow V-shaped camming element orvtraok1|00 whose other end is pivoted to one end of a lengthwise `adjustable Vertical rod 10| whose other end is secured to the upper end of an elongated oblong shaped yoke |02 having its lower end closed by a cross bar |03. Cross bar v|03 is connected to one end of a tension spring |04 whose other endis anchored toa bar |05 secured to the frame 0'. The upper end of the yoke |02 has a circular roller follower |06 which is automatically maintained in contact with the ,cammng surface of the cam 93 by the force automatically applied thereto through the tension spring |04. Pivoted on said bracket92 is 'a lever v|01 whose lower end has a circular roller cam follower |08 and whose upper end is pivoted to a pusher |09 having a pusher cross bar y| l0, The pusher |09 carries a roller riding along the upper face .of track |00. A tension spring ||2 is .connectedto the pusher |09 and to theflever |01 .20| Yand below fthe vupper limit thereof are mounted a pair ofrollers 202 and 203, the former .being a follower pressure `roller and the other .being a driven roller and having a sprocket wheel 20L/secured to the shaft thereof. Disposed along thelengthof the .frame 200 between the sides thereof andaty the discharge side of the feed .rollers `.202 .and 203 is. @downwardly slanting triangular element 205 whose base is located close 4tothe feed rollers 202 andi 203 and whose apex is spaced therefrom. Disposedslightly ahead of the apexof triangle '205 'are apair of vertical cylindri- .cal .rods`206]spaced.a short distance from each other. Ahead of the rods 206 is a triangular .folder 201 consisting of a pair of elements terminating .in upstanding fingers `at their front and divergingfromeach other at their rear shown in Figure 3. Forward of the folder are two pairs of `rollers 208 and ,299. Rollers 208 are in foremost position. andare continuously driven by the shaft 63 which drives shaft 2|0 having sprocket wheel 2|| keyed thereto. Also keyed to shaft 2|0 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 is another sprocket wheel 2|3 which in turn continuously drives the rollers 208 by a chain drive 2|4. Rollers 209 are intermittently driven bythe output shaft 33 of the Geneva drive by chain drive 2|5 through a double sprocket wheel 210 loosely rotating on shaft 2| 0 and driving through chain 2| 1 and gear reduction drive 2|8 to roller 209. Roller 203 is intermittently driven by a chain drive 2|9 through sprocket 204, y

A continuousl web or band of an absorbent, brousmaterial such as carded cotton may be fed directly from a cotton carding machine to the incline 20| and is fed intermittently by rollers 202 and 203, and also rollers 209. Between these sets of rollers 202 and 203 and '209 the web is maintained in tension and as it is drawn along the bottom face of triangle 205, it is folded in along its central longitudinal axis and so fold feeds between rods 206 and along the bottom face and side faces of the spreaders folders 201 and between the rollers 209 in a folded condition as shown in Figure 10. In such condition the folded web passes between continuously moving rollers 208 which feed a predetermined length of said folded web while rollers 209 are in motion and when rollers 209 come at rest the rollers 200 duer to their continuous rotation separates from the remainder of the web as shown in Figure 4a a predetermined length of folded cotton web, which individual unit of web length is hereinafter designated by W and is shown in Figure 25.

As unit W leaves rollers 209 it slides onto table 98 as shown in Figures 11, 12, 13 and 15 which show the unit W being moved over to the entrance of die 50 on the indexing table 05. Figure 11 shows the position of pushing device |09 before it descends and engages the unit W as shown in Figure 12. As the cam shaft 40 continuously rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 11, cam 93 is continuously rotated to reciprocate rod and pivotally swing the inverted V track |00 up and down. Simultaneously moving with the cam 93 is cam 94 which moves the pusher |09 back and forth along the track |00. Referring particularly to Figure 12, the cam 93 has moved to such a position that the rod |0| is brought down by the action of spring |04 and carried the inverted V track |00 to its maximum lower position where one leg of the track |00 is substantially parallel to the table 98. When the track |00 is in this position, a crossrod ||0 on pusher |09 is riding on table 90 and pushes against the folded web length W. The cross bar ||0 travels along the face of the table 98 to push the folded web W over a die 50 which is now in tampon material inserting position. The web length W is slightly compressed along its longitudinal axis against an abuttment 99 as shown in Figures 13 and 26. As this web length W is kept in this position for a short period, an inserting plunger L tucks or inserts the web length W into said die 50 as shown in Figures 14 Vand 27 to provide a loosely compacted, elongated cylinder of folded web length W by the inserting plunger L, into die 50, the lower limit of W is located slightly below the lower extremity of die 50. Due to the tapered length of the plunger L the same may be readily removed after it has reached its lowermost position. In the course of plunger insertion and withdrawal in the formation of the cylinder shown in Figure 28, the inverted V track |00 is swung to its uppermost position and the arm |09 rides away from the die 50 and table 98 and in an elevated position above the table 98 to clear the next length of folded web W to be acted upon therewith for positioning at the next die 51 which will be located in the same position as the preceding die 50 upon indexing of the table 45. The table 45 is indexed by the output shaft 33 of the Geneva movement to index the table 45 thus providing a recurring series of different positions of each die as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 15. Each die is moved from position O in which the die is empty to position I where as before described a unit W of absorbent, fibrous material is inserted in the die 50.

With the die 5l now in position I and die 50 in piercing or separating position, also known as position II, as shown in Figures 16, 17, 18 and 19 the continuously dr1ven reciprocating pierce or generally U-shape, with the folded marginal portions being within the outer periphery of the cylinder as shown in Figure 28. The inserting plunger L has a smaller outer diameter than the bore B of die 50 and is tapered on each side along its effective length. The plunger L is so positioned that when inserted in die 50, its narrow edges are opposite the slots G as shown in Figure 27. Upon tucking or insertion of the separating pin or knife 84 passes above the bottom of the die 50, through a slot G, thence through the cylinder W at a position slightly above the loop of the legs thereof and between the inner faces of the legs of the cylinder, through the other slot G and finally through a guide opening 83. After insertion, the piercing or' separating needle B4 is retracted. As this action was taking place with respect to die 50, the die 51 was acted upon at position I in the same manner as was die 50 when at position I.

The table 45 is again indexed by the output shaft 33 of the Geneva movement to rotate the table anotherv45 and locate die 50 at position III or threading andtying position, die 51 at position II and die 56 at position I.

Just before table 45 rotates to index die 50 from position II to III, a predetermined length of cord or string S is drawn from a spool T shown in Figures 1 and2 and passes through a number -of string guides N into the friction spring clamp ||5 at the free end of the string placer lever ||5 actuated by continously driven cam shaft 63 through a cam H8 and follower ||1. A short loose end of the cord S hangs from clamp H0 and the lever H5 is moved to its maximum downward position as shown in Figure 31 to place said loose end between the jaws |21 and |29 now open. As the lever ||5 reaches its lowermost position, the jaw |29 is actuated by cam |33 on shaft 63 to close said jaws |29 and |21 upon the cord end after when the string placing lever ||5 swings upwardly to its maximum upper position shown in Figure 32 thereby positioning and maintaining taut a length of oord between jaws |21 and |29 and clamp I 6. In the course of positioning said length of cord, the loop former |28 is actuated by cam |4| on shaft B3 to pass through the slot in stationary element |60 and move the hook end thereof bevond thetaut cord and then retract the same to engage said cord andpull two widelv spaced legs thereof` withinthe horizontal legs |10 of the stationary element as shown in Figure 34. The movable V jaw member |13 cooperates the stationary member |823 to @morgue and draw together leas nf the @nm as indimfed successively in Figures 35, 36 and 37. Just about this time the table Vhas 'indexed the. die 56 to position DI as shown in Figures 38, 38d and 39. In the course of indexing die U from position'II to III, the leading or tapered lower front face H of die 5D strikes against the two legs of the draw cord, to draw out more cord from the spool and through the friction clamp H6. The two horizontal legs of the draw cordr with a loop atA the loop former |38 are slided over av stationary spreader |11-a integral with jaw |11 to 'increase the distance between the string legs at that place as shown in Figure 38a. When the movable element |13 reaches the innermost position, the bar |83 actuates the pin |82 to move jaw |13 against the action of spring |8| and away from jaw |11. At the same time that the element |13 reaches its innermost position, the cord cut-off knife |62 connected thereto by link AMii also reaches its innermost position to cut off the upper end of the string S against platen |60. As the cut-olf knife |62 reaches its innermost position, the movable jaw |29 swings away from jaw |21 releasing the lower end of the cord. Immediately after cut oi and release of the ends of the draw K cord, continuously reciprocating needle also driven by cam shaft 63 passes through the opening |1| in stationary plate |68 registering with the slots G in die 50'. The needle |25 passes through the slot |1| and engages the two ends of the cord which are close together and pushes them through slot G, the opening in the cylinder W. slot G again and then through that open portion of the loop` and between the jaws |11 and |18 as shown in Figures 40 and 41. As the needle |25 and the free ends of the cord carried thereby reach their innermost position, the movable plate |13 begins to retract and spring |8| automatically operates to close the jaws |11 and |18 against the free ends of the cord while the threading needle is also retracting. Figure 42 shows the free ends of the cord held between the jaws I 11 and |18 after the needle |25 has been completely retracted. After the jaws |11 and |18 have clamped the free ends of draw cord, the hook |39 moves forward as indicated by the arrow in Figure 42 and becomes disengaged from the loop end of the cord as shown in Figure 43. As this action was Vtaking place with respect to die 5|) at position III. die 51 was acted in position II in the same manner as was die 5D when in that position and die 56 was acted upon in position I in the same manner as were dies 50 and 51 when in position I.

The table now is moved another 45 to index the die 5'! from position III to IV, die 51 from position II to III. die 55 from position I to II and die 55 to position I. Inthe' course of moving from position IIT to IV, the slip loop is somewhat tightened and the free ends of the cord A are drawn out of the closed spring pressed jaws |11 and |18 and are immediately drawn into a suction trough |95 to keep the loop tight against the die 5U as shown in Figures 44 and 45. Also aiding in maintaining the loop in position is loop supporting bar |95. As the `die 5|) reaches the indexed positionY IV. the free ends of the draw cords are still heldin the suction trough |95. the ,iaws |46 and` |52 and the wiping brush |56 are simultaneously actuated by shaft 53 to move them from the dotted ii'nenosioons to the fun line positions shown in Figures 46 and 47 to grip the loose ends of the cord and to wipe down along the outer smooth `face I-I ofthe die. thelooped end of the cord into position with loop being center at the bottom of the cylindrical formation was shown in Figure 48.- Ine jaws |45 and |52 now close upon then'ee ends of the cord and aremoved downwardly by shaft 53 as indicated in Figure 49 partially to tie the loop. After the jaws |46 and |52 have moved part way in the tying operation, pin actuated by shaft 4|) engages the lower part of cylinder W at its midsection to locate the tying thereat on further drawing down of the jaws as shown in Figures 50 to 52. Upon reaching their lower limit, jaws |46 and |52 open to release the free ends of the cord. As this action was taking place with respect to die 50 at position IV, die 51 was acted upon at position III in the same manner as was die 50 when at position III and die 56 was acted upon at position II in the same manner as were dies 55 and 51 when at position II and die 55 was acted upon at position I in the same manner as were dies 5U, 51 and 58 when at position I.

Platen or supporting plungers 225 and 226 are respectively located at positions V and VI and are automatically moved up and down in operative and inoperative positions by the continuously driven shafts 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 54, the plunger 225 is actuated by a sliding block supporting said plunger and having a follower slot in which is located an eccentric pin extending into said slot and connected to shaft 3. As shown in said gure as shaft 3 is rotated in a clockwise direction', the eccentric pin is revolved in the same direction and moves in said slot and moves the block upwardly, the pin and slot assuming thedotted position and the slot and block moving in the direction shown by the vertical arrow.

The index table 45 is again indexed 45" to move die 55 from position 1V to V, die 51 from position III to IV, die 56 from position II to III, die 55 from position I to II and die 54 to position I. Upon reaching position V the platen plunger 225 is raised upwardly as shown in Figure 55 to push the cylindrical formation W to such up` ward position that the lower limit of formation W is above the upper limit of the die slots G and its upper limit is below the upper limit of the bore B of the die. When the element W reaches its maximum upper position in die 50,v a compression plunger 22| having a smaller or pilot end 222 is moved into the bore B of die 5U to compress the cylinder W and to form a central elongated cylindrical recess therein at the end there` of away from the end to which the draw string is tied. Then the plunger 22| and 225 are retracted from the die 50 and the table 45 is now just about ready to index to its next position and the partially compressed element W is self-retained in the bore B. As this action was taking place with respect to die 50 aty position V, die 51 was acted upon at position IV inthe same manner as was die 50 when at that position, die 56 was acted upon at III in the same manner as were dies 59 and 51 when at that position, die 55 was acted upon at position II in the same manner as were dies 50, 51 and 55 when at that position and die 54 was acted upon at position I in the same manner as were dies 50, 51,` 56 and 55 when at the position. e

The table 45 again automatically indexes 45 to move the die 5|! from position V to VI, die 51 from position IV to V, die'55'from position III to IV, die 55 from position II to III, die 54 from position I to II and die-53 to position I. Upon die 5|] reaching position VI, plunger 226 is actuated upwardly to operative position to press against base of partially compressed element W and a plunger 224 having a pilotplunger is lowered into die 50 

